The 2024 Annual Referee Summit, proudly sponsored by Westerby Group, brought together 120 match officials from across Leicestershire and Rutland for a prestigious evening of celebration and development at the Charles Palmer Suite, Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

Leicestershire & Rutland County FA, CEO Joe Dunmore opened the evening with remarks on the vital role referees play in grassroots football. This was followed by an update on County FA discipline, led by Kai Wilson, Football Services Lead, and Zoe Boon, Discrimination Investigation Support Coordinator, who emphasised referees' importance in creating safer and more enjoyable environment for all participants within the game.

Referees promoted during the 2023/2024 season were celebrated for their dedication and hard work, with special recognition for Level 4 official Adam Crosby-Smith, who officiated the Iber Cup final in Portugal and was named Match Official of the Tournament. View the full list of referees who were promoted here.

The awards presentation followed, with sponsors, partners, and board members proudly presenting the trophies. This year, we celebrated the dedication of referees with five 15 Years’ Service Awards, six 25 Years’ Service Awards, and a remarkable 40 Years’ Service Award.

After being recognised as Match Official of the Year at the Grassroots Awards earlier this year, Terry Simmons was once again honoured with the same accolade at the summit. Joining him in the spotlight was Ben Robson, who received the prestigious Young Match Official of the Year Award for the 2023/2024 season. Both recipients exemplify unwavering commitment and excellence in refereeing, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the game.

Earlier this year, we were deeply saddened by the passing of Martin Dexter, one of the County FA’s most respected and beloved referees. Martin was a passionate and dedicated member of the refereeing community across Leicestershire, Rutland, and beyond, and his loss is felt by all who knew him. Even after retiring from professional football, Martin remained committed to mentoring younger match officials, helping them progress in their refereeing journeys.

At the 2024 Annual Referee Summit, we were honoured to present a County FA Special Recognition Award for Services to Refereeing to Claire, Martin’s daughter, in recognition of his lasting impact on the footballing community. This moment was met with a standing ovation from all attendees, who joined together in remembering Martin and all those no longer with us.

After a break, during which attendees explored an interactive station hosted by our Referee Technology Partner, REFSIX, Sam Barrott, PGMOL Premier League Referee, led a session on Communication Under Pressure. Sam provided invaluable development for officials, with some even participating in the session. We extend our thanks to Sam for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us and wish him all the best for the remainder of the season and beyond.

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Referee Sam Barrott delivering his Communication Under Pressure session

Before the evening concluded, we heard from Emma Sharpe of Menphys, the County FA's charity partner, who shared the impactful work they are doing this Christmas. The evening was then closed by Steve Harvey from headline sponsor Westerby Group, who offered strong words of support for our match officials.

Steven Harvey, Managing Director of the Westerby Group, commented on their sponsorship of the Challenge Cup and the Referee Summit. He said: "Local business support plays a crucial role in sustaining these cherished fixtures in our football calendar. We are proud to continue supporting local sport and nurturing talent from the grassroots level."

Referee Development Lead Chris Hodson reflected on the successes of the event. He said: "The Referee Summit was a fantastic evening, bringing together dedicated Match Officials to celebrate their achievements and hear from one of the country's leading referees.

“Refereeing is challenging, but the dedication and passion shown by our officials week in, week out, is truly admirable. As we enter a new strategy as a County FA, I am very proud to represent this exceptional group of officials and provide the necessary support and development for them to excel.

“My thanks to our partners, Westerby Group, REFSIX, Menphys, MDH for the awards, and Sam for his time. We look forward to next season’s event, where more successes will be celebrated.”